Systems and methods for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely. Further, the system includes an upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee. Moreover, an object is included that is physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to techniques to improve golfers'skills. Specifically, but not related to, this invention determines if atee is currently pointing at a direction that aligns with the targetedholes. Further, this invention uses computerized techniques to helpgolfers to aim at the right directions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Training is an important aspect to every sport, and golf is no exceptionin this regard. Golfers can improve how they golf by training on aregular basis. One good aspect of training of golfing is that trainingcan be done by the golfer himself or herself because golfing is anindividual sport than a team sport. Unlike other sports, golf can bepracticed without other members. That gives golfers more opportunitiesto sharpen their skills. However, having said that, Golf can be easy tolearn but difficult to master. For example, before a golfer makes aswing, he or she must estimate how hard the swing should be. Otherwise agolf ball may be hit too hard, so that the ball would fly out too faraway from the target. If, on the other hand, the ball is being hit toosoft, the ball would never reach the target hole. Another skill for agolfer to master is the aiming direction. The direction of the club tohit the ball can become crucial because if a golf ball is hit at a wrongdirection, the golf ball would miss the target even though the golf clubmakes a perfect touch to the ball. Thus, the golfer must estimate thedirection very carefully in order for the golfer to properly aim at theright direction before he or she can hit the target. Conventionally,most training is conducted under the guidance of coaches only. Withtechnologies, golfers can now improve their skills even without thepresence of coaches. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is aneed to design a system and methods that allow golfers to aim atdirections with greater flexibility and choices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, a system is providedfor showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken.The system may comprise a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golftee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely; a upper housing,which forms a higher portion for the golf tee; an object physicallyattached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hita golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the directionpointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand; acontroller in the golf tee to support commands for rotation; a first GPSassociated with a flag of a first hole; a second GPS associated with aflag of a second hole; a third GPS associated with a flag of a thirdhole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; a mobile device used bythe golfer to serve as a user interface of the system; a processorincluded in the mobile device; and a memory included in the mobiledevice.

In another embodiment, the embodied method may comprise receiving areport from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS locationof the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein thereport includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a reportfrom the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of thethird hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from thepointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed bythe pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, thelocations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee;waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from thefirst hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as ahole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected thefirst hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based onthe GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointeris currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward thefirst hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at thedirection that would allow the pointer to point directly toward thefirst hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobiledevice, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that thedirection currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with thefirst hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring tothe direction pointed by the pointer.

In another embodiment, the method may comprise receiving a report fromthe first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the firsthole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from thethird hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the thirdhole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includesa GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer,wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by thepointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, thelocations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee;waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from thefirst hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as ahole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected thefirst hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based onthe GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointeris currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the secondhole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on theGPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, andthe direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward thesecond hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at thedirection that would allow the pointer to point directly toward thesecond hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobiledevice, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that thedirection currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with thesecond hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring tothe direction pointed by the pointer.

In another embodiment, the method may comprise receiving a report fromthe first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the firsthole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from thethird hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the thirdhole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includesa GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer,wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by thepointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, thelocations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee;waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from thefirst hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as ahole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected thefirst hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based onthe GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointeris currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward thefirst hole, suggesting the user through the user interface that: thegolf tee, as suggested by the pointer, fails to point directly towardthe first hole; and the pointer is required to rotate to a certain anglein order for the pointer to point directly toward the first hole;waiting for the user to rotate the golf tee to a different angle; whendetected that the golf tee has been rotated to the different angle,re-determining whether the pointer is currently directed toward thefirst hole, and suggesting the user to make changes with respect to therotating angle of the pointer until the pointer is pointing directlytoward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of themobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golftee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that thedirection currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with thefirst hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring tothe direction pointed by the pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a golf training system, consistent with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a system for showing golfers how to aimproperly before golf balls are stricken. Referring to FIG. 1 for oneimplementation. A golf training system is provided, comprising a stand,which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand isconfigured to rotate freely; a upper housing, which forms a higherportion for the golf tee; an object physically attached to the upperhousing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in adirection pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by thepointer can be changed by rotating the stand; a controller in the golftee to support commands for rotation; a first GPS associated with a flagof a first hole; a second GPS associated with a flag of a second hole; athird GPS associated with a flag of a third hole; a fourth GPSassociated with the golf tee; a mobile device used by the golfer toserve as a user interface of the system; a processor included in themobile device; and a memory included in the mobile device, wherein thememory stores instructions that cause the processor to execute a method,the method comprising: receiving a report from the first hole, whereinthe report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a reportfrom the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of thesecond hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from thegolf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee;receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the userinterlace of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, secondhole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, forthe user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and thirdhole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit;detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the useris aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the firsthole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currentlypointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed towardthe first hole; displaying, on the user interlace of the mobile device,the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that thepointer fails to directed toward the first hole, commanding thecontroller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allowthe pointer to point directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying,on the user interlace of the mobile device, the location of the firsthole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointedby the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointeris now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike thegolf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

The disclosed invention relating to the golf training system may beimplemented with other features, comprising: a stand, which forms alower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotatefreely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee;an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointerfor a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer,wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotatingthe stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands forrotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a secondGPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated witha flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; amobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of thesystem; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory includedin the mobile device, wherein the memory stores instructions that causethe processor to execute a method, the method comprising: receiving areport from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS locationof the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein thereport includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a reportfrom the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of thethird hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the golf tee; and receiving a report from thepointer.

The resulting report may include different information. One exampleincludes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, onthe user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the firsthole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the userinterface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, secondhole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user isaiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole asthe hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPSlocation of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and thedirection currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the secondhole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on theGPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, andthe direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward thesecond hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at thedirection that would allow the pointer to point directly toward thesecond hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobiledevice, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that thedirection currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with thesecond hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring tothe direction pointed by the pointer.

The report may also include a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving areport from the pointer, wherein the report includes the directioncurrently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface ofthe mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, thirdhole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user toselect a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, whereinthe hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that theuser has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit;determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPSlocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the firsthole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, thelocation of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that thepointer fails to directed toward the first hole, suggesting the userthrough the user interface that: the golf tee, as suggested by thepointer, fails to point directly toward the first hole; and the pointeris required to rotate to a certain angle in order for the pointer topoint directly toward the first hole; waiting for the user to rotate thegolf tee to a different angle; when detected that the golf tee has beenrotated to the different angle, re-determining whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the first hole, and suggesting the user tomake changes with respect to the rotating angle of the pointer until thepointer is pointing directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying,on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the firsthole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointedby the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointeris now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike thegolf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for showing golfers how to aim properlybefore golf balls are stricken, comprising: a stand, which forms a lowerportion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotatefreely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee;an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointerfor a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer,wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotatingthe stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands forrotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a secondGPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated witha flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; amobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of thesystem; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory includedin the mobile device
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from thesecond hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the secondhole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from thegolf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee;receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, secondhole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, forthe user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and thirdhole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit;detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the useris aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the firsthole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currentlypointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed towardthe first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device,the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that thepointer fails to directed toward the first hole, commanding thecontroller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allowthe pointer to point directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying,on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the firsthole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointedby the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointeris now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike thegolf ball by referring, to the direction pointed by the pointer.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: receiving a report fromthe first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the firsthole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from thethird hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the thirdhole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includesa GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer,wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by thepointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, thelocations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee;waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from thefirst hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as ahole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected thefirst hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based onthe GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointeris currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the secondhole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on theGPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, andthe direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, thelocation of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by thepointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward thesecond hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at thedirection that would allow the pointer to point directly toward thesecond hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobiledevice, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee,and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that thedirection currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with thesecond hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring tothe direction pointed by the pointer.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe method comprises: receiving a report from the first hole, whereinthe report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a reportfrom the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of thesecond hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the reportincludes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from thegolf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee;receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the userinterface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, secondhole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, forthe user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and thirdhole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit;detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the useris aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the firsthole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currentlypointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed towardthe first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device,the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and thedirection currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that thepointer fails to directed toward the first hole, suggesting the userthrough the user interface that: the golf tee, as suggested by thepointer, fails to point directly toward the first hole; and the pointeris required to rotate to a certain angle in order for the pointer topoint directly toward the first hole; waiting for the user to rotate thegolf tee to a different angle; when detected that the golf tee has beenrotated to the different angle, re-determining whether the pointer iscurrently directed toward the first hole, and suggesting the user tomake changes with respect to the rotating angle of the pointer until thepointer is pointing directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying,on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the firsthole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointedby the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointeris now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike thegolf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.